Coast Guard explosive detector dog retires in ceremony in Galveston

HOUSTON — A Coast Guard Explosive Detector Dog retired Monday at the Maritime Safety and Security Team building in Galveston, after 9 years of service.

Chief Petty Officer Ferro, a Belgian Malinois, has been employed as a Coast Guard military working dog at MSSTs for the duration of his time in service. His handler, Petty Officer 1st Class Shane Coleman, has been partnered with Ferro the whole time.

“Spanning the better part of a decade, the partnership between Ferro and Petty Officer Coleman has been a great example of the versatility for which the Coast Guard has always been known,” said Lt. Cmdr. Chad Holm, the commanding officer of MSST Galveston. “In a sense, they have been pioneers in the post 9/11 Coast Guard by employing traditional capabilities to effectively combat modern security threats in our nation’s ports.”

After Ferro’s retirement, the K-9 was adopted by Coleman and his wife.

One dog handler and K-9 remain at MSST Galveston and a new K-9 and handler graduate Friday, to report to the unit in place of Coleman and Ferro.